The Complete History of the Power Rangers Toy Franchise

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The Power Rangers franchise is a multi-billion dollar phenomenon that spans television, movies, comics, and toys. From its debut in 1993, Power Rangers has captivated generations of fans worldwide. However, behind its vibrant costumes, high-energy martial arts, and epic battles against evil, lies a fascinating history of the toy franchise that has shaped the pop culture landscape. This article delves into the origins and evolution of the Power Rangers toy line, exploring its milestones, innovations, and the impact it had on toy culture.

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The Origins of Power Rangers: 1993

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The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series premiered in 1993, produced by Saban Entertainment and inspired by the Japanese Super Sentai series. This action-packed show featured a group of teenagers who transformed into colorful superheroes to fight evil monsters, with the aid of their powerful Zords—giant robot vehicles that could combine into a larger, more powerful Megazord. Seeing the potential for a franchise, Saban partnered with toy company Bandai America to create a line of Power Rangers action figures. The toys were intended to capitalize on the popularity of the TV series, and they were released in time for the show's debut. The first series of toys, released in 1993, included action figures of the five original Power Rangers—Red, Pink, Blue, Black, and Yellow—along with their Zords and the Megazord.

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The Rise of the Toy Line: 1993-1995

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The Power Rangers toy line became an instant success, largely due to the massive popularity of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series. The toys were marketed heavily to children, with TV commercials, ads in comics, and even appearances in McDonald's Happy Meals, making them hard to miss. In addition to the action figures, the line included a variety of vehicles, playsets, and accessories. The Megazord, which combined the individual Zords into a massive robot, became one of the most sought-after toys. The ability to combine and reconfigure the Zords, as well as their articulation, made the toys especially appealing to collectors and young fans alike.

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Expansion of the Toy Line: 1995-2000

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As the Power Rangers franchise expanded, so did the toy line. In 1995, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie hit theaters, introducing new characters and Zords. Bandai quickly adapted, releasing toys based on the movie characters, such as the Ninja Rangers and their Ninja Zords. These toys featured improved designs and more advanced features, including figures with more articulation and greater attention to detail. The Power Rangers franchise continued to evolve with new seasons of the show, including Power Rangers Zeo, Power Rangers Turbo, and Power Rangers in Space. Each new season introduced new Zords, characters, and villains, prompting Bandai to refresh the toy line with new figures and vehicles.

Throughout the late '90s, the Power Rangers toy line continued to grow in scope. Bandai introduced new lines, including the Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, Power Rangers Time Force, and Power Rangers Wild Force. Each series featured an array of action figures, vehicles, playsets, and weapons designed to tie in with the unique elements of each season.

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The Decline of Popularity: 2000-2010

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As the 2000s approached, the Power Rangers franchise began to face increasing competition from other popular toy lines, such as Pokémon and Digimon. The toys still performed well, but the buzz surrounding the series started to wane.

In 2001, Bandai launched the Power Rangers: Wild Force toy line, but it did not achieve the same level of success as previous years. The series continued to introduce new seasons, including Power Rangers SPD, Power Rangers Mystic Force, and Power Rangers Jungle Fury, but the sales figures started to drop. This was partly due to the changing interests of children, who were increasingly drawn to other forms of entertainment, such as video games and cartoons.

However, Bandai continued to release toys, albeit with more targeted marketing strategies. Collectors’ editions and higher-quality figures—such as those from the Power Rangers Legacy collection—became popular among adult fans.

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A New Era: 2010-2020

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The Power Rangers franchise saw a resurgence in the 2010s, largely due to the success of Power Rangers Samurai(2011) and the 2017 Power Rangers film reboot. Bandai continued to produce toys for the TV shows, including new iterations of the Zords and action figures that appealed to both younger audiences and adult collectors. In 2011, Bandai released the Power Rangers Samurai toy line, which featured figures from the Samurai Rangers and their Samurai Megazords. This was followed by the Power Rangers Megaforce line in 2013 and Power Rangers Dino Charge in 2015. The toys included both traditional figures and new vehicles, with a focus on collector-friendly designs. One of the standout releases of this era was the Power Rangers Legacy Collection. Released in 2013, this premium line was designed for adult collectors and featured highly detailed, articulated action figures based on the original series. The line included figures of the original Rangers, their Zords, and other iconic items from the show, such as the Morpher and the Power Sword. The Legacy Collection was a massive hit and reinvigorated interest in the franchise.

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Power Rangers in the 2020s

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By the 2020s, the Power Rangers toy franchise had become a global brand, with toys being sold worldwide and collectors continuing to show interest in both vintage and new figures. In 2020, Hasbro acquired the rights to the Power Rangers brand from Saban, taking over the toy production and distribution from Bandai. This marked a new chapter in the franchise’s toy history, as Hasbro began to introduce new products and reimagine classic elements with modern updates. Hasbro’s Power Rangers Lightning Collection, launched in 2018, was a continuation of the Legacy Collection but with even more modern design sensibilities. The Lightning Collection toys were meticulously designed with exceptional articulation, paint detail, and likeness to the characters from the show. Collectors were thrilled by figures from all seasons of Power Rangers, including Mighty Morphin, In Space, Time Force, and even the 2017 movie. This collection brought in new fans, while catering to long-time fans who had grown up with the franchise. Hasbro also continued to release toys in partnership with the TV show, ensuring that both new and classic Power Rangers were represented in stores. In addition, Hasbro expanded the Power Rangers universe with new crossovers and collaborations, such as Power Rangers x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers x Street Fighter toys, which merged fan-favorite brands for exciting new product releases.

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A Legacy of Success

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The Power Rangers toy franchise has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the toy industry. From its humble beginnings in the early '90s to its resurgence under Hasbro, the brand has consistently evolved to meet the tastes of new generations. Whether through action figures, Zords, or collectible items, Power Rangers toys have remained a beloved part of childhood for millions of fans around the world. Today, the legacy of Power Rangers continues to grow, with new seasons, movies, comics, and toys still delighting fans young and old. The enduring appeal of the Power Rangers toy line is a testament to its ability to adapt, innovate, and inspire across multiple generations. The franchise has firmly cemented its place in toy history as one of the most influential and enduring toy lines ever created.

 

 

Author - Space Monkey 

Collect.Toys